Driverless lorries to be trialled on M6 as government pushes ahead with investment

George Osborne, the Chancellor, is expected to confirm funding for the
initiative when he unveils the Budget

The government has announced that driverless cars will be permitted on UK roads from January 2015Photo: Bloomberg

By Ben Riley-Smith, Political Correspondent

8:50PM GMT 06 Mar 2016

Groups of driverless lorries could soon be seen along Britain’s motorways as the government pushes ahead with bringing about next-generation transport.

George Osborne, the Chancellor, is expected to confirm funding for the initiative this week when he unveils the Budget.

A stretch of the M6 near Carlisle has reportedly been earmarked as a potential test route for the automated lorries.

During testing the vehicles would have drivers on board as a safety precaution to ensure there is someone on hand should the technology malfunction.

A Toyota Prius self-driving car operated by Google Photo: EPA

Fleets of as many as 10 driverless lorries in a row could be tested in the hope of securing major savings to journey times and business costs.

However their use is likely to trigger concerns about safety given testing would be happening on some of Britain’s busiest roads.

Paul Watters, head of roads and transport policy for the AA, warned that there are many obstacles ahead of achieving the driverless "utopia" on the roads.

He said: "Convoys of driverless lorries and motorists will certainly be very nervous about the prospect and will need considerable reassurance that it will be safe.

"Motorways are pretty congested in the UK, they are about he most congested in Europe, and there will be problems in how they access and exit the roads."

He explained that a procession of driverless lorries would block slip roads, meaning they would have to use the offside lane. "There are lots of logistical problems," he added.

The DfT could not confirm the location of the test route or timetable and would not speculate on whether the research will receive funding in the Budget, although it said planning for trials was under way.

The Chancellor George Osborne Photo: PA

A spokeswoman said: "New technology has the potential to bring major improvements to journeys and the UK is in a unique position to lead the way for the testing of connected and driverless vehicles.

"We are planning trials of HGV platoons – which enable vehicles to move in a group so they use less fuel – and will be in a position to say more in due course."

Should Mr Osborne confirm the extra spending this week it would be the second year in a row he has used the Budget to invest in driverless technology.

Last May the Chancellor said £100m will be ploughed into research and development of automated cars and the systems they require, such as telecoms, over the next five years.

Vince Cable, Business Secretary, said at the time: “Britain has a long history of transport innovation and is now home to a diverse and dynamic automotive sector.

“Today’s £200m investment will ensure the UK stays at the cutting-edge and is well placed to profit from the growing market for hi-tech vehicles of the future.”